By: Johnny Bradigan on November 13, 2024
ConstructConnect Team Member Responds After Recent Hurricanes
Calling this fall a tough and trying season for much of the southeastern United States would be an understatement. Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused many deaths, and many more people lost their homes and jobs.
Some ConstructConnect team members were also affected by these storms. While the company helped its employees, other team members were on the ground helping neighbors.
Integrated Marketing Manager Brittani Phillips lives in Charleston, South Carolina. She knows how dangerous these storms can be. After Hurricane Helene hit the southeast, Phillips wanted to help.
She joined a group of local people headed to North Carolina.
“It was combined efforts of many people here in Charleston—teachers, restaurant and business owners, churches—notably just regular civilians, like me, who wanted to help,” Phillips recalled.
The group's efforts grew when they reached western North Carolina, which was hit hard.
“While running our own operation we met more people like us up there in western North Carolina and met members of the United Cajun Navy, as well as other private veteran pilots working like us, on our own accord, at our own risk, to rescue people deep in the storm ravaged remote parts of the mountains to get them food, water, and supplies,” Phillips said.
They worked nonstop to fill military helicopters with the supplies. They were for areas that still did not have power or water.
Even though the storms are over, western North Carolina is still working to recover.
Phillips says, “We're actually heading up there for Thanksgiving with a bunch of equipment to cook hot Thanksgiving meals and hand them out!”
Phillips and her team volunteered through the Little Switzerland Relief Charity, which helps people in Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties.
The American Red Cross is also helping. ConstructConnect donated to the Red Cross right after Hurricane Helene. The Red Cross’ website has information about how these donations are being used and how you can help.